Closure cap including film portion

ABSTRACT

A closure cap adapted to be removably retained on a container can include a cap portion and a film portion. The cap portion can include an opening adapted to permit flow from an interior of the container to an exterior of the container when the closure cap is retained on the container. The film portion can be adapted to prohibit flow through the opening and can be positionable to permit flow through at least a portion of the opening when the closure cap is retained on the container. A drinking straw can be introduced into the opening to permit flow from the interior to the exterior of the closure cap.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 60/370,228, filed on Apr. 8, 2002, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a closure cap, and more specifically to a closure cap adapted to be removably retained on a container including a film portion positionable to permit flow through at least a portion of an opening of the closure cap when the closure cap is retained on the container. A drinking straw can be introduced into a hole in the film portion to permit flow through the closure cap.

[0004] 2. Description of Related Art

[0005] A known cap is removably disposed on a container, such as a plastic or glass bottle. After removal of the known cap, a liquid disposed in the container can be delivered.

[0006] However, as stated above, such a known cap suffer from disadvantages including that removal of the known cap from the container is required for liquid delivery. Further, widespread use prevents such a known cap from being used to differentiate types of products and/or brands of products from one another.

[0007] Thus, it is desirable to provide a cap removably disposed on a container that can deliver a fluid without removal therefrom, such as through a drinking straw introduced into a hole in the cap. Further, it is desirable to provide a cap that can be used to differentiate types and/or brands of products from one another.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention provides a closure cap adapted to be removably retained on a container which can include a cap portion and a film portion. The cap portion can include an opening adapted to permit flow from an interior of the container to an exterior of the container when the closure cap is retained on the container. The film portion can be adapted to prohibit flow through the opening and can be positionable to permit flow through at least a portion of the opening when the closure cap is retained on the container.

[0009] The present invention further provides a closure cap adapted to be removably retained on a container which can include a cap portion having an opening means for permitting flow from an interior of the container to an exterior of the container when the closure cap is retained on the container, and a film portion means for prohibiting flow through the opening and positionable to permit flow through at least a portion of the opening when the closure cap is retained on the container. A drinking straw can be introduced into the opening means for permitting flow from the interior to the exterior of the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] A more complete appreciation of the present invention, as well as one or more of the attendant advantages thereof, will be readily ascertained and/or obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0011]FIG. 1 shows an elevation view of an embodiment of a closure cap removably retained on a container.

[0012]FIG. 2 shows a detail cross-sectional view of the closure cap of FIG. 1.

[0013]FIG. 3 shows a partial cross section of a top isometric view of the closure cap of FIG. 1.

[0014]FIG. 4 shows a partial cross section of an isometric view of another embodiment of the closure cap.

[0015]FIG. 5 shows a partial cross section of an isometric view of another embodiment of the closure cap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Examples of one or more preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numbers throughout the several views identify like and/or similar elements.

[0017] The present invention provides a closure cap adapted to be removably retained on a container. Although the figures show certain preferred embodiments of the closure cap of the present invention, it is to be understood that the closure cap can be of any type, so long as the closure cap can include a portion positionable to permit flow through an opening of the closure cap when the closure cap is retained on the container. A drinking straw can be introduced into the opening to permit flow from the interior to the exterior of the container.

[0018] The figures show certain preferred, exemplary embodiments of the closure cap. Specifically, the figures show examples of a closure cap 100 that can include a cap portion 10 as well as a film portion 20, and optionally can include a lining portion 30.

[0019] The cap portion 10 can be adapted to removably retain the closure cap 100 on a container C for containing a liquid. Although the figures show certain preferred embodiments of the cap portion 10, it is to be understood that the cap portion 10 can be of any type, so long as the cap portion 10 can removably retain the closure cap 100 on the container C.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cap portion 10 can include a liquid contacting portion 11 and a container contacting portion 12.

[0021] The liquid contacting portion 11 can be adapted to contact the liquid disposed in the container C when the closure cap 100 is retained on the container C. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the liquid contacting portion 11 can include an exterior surface 13 that faces an exterior of the container C when the closure cap 100 is retained on the container C, and an interior surface 14 opposite to the exterior surface 13 and that can face an interior of the container C when the closure cap 100 is retained on the container C. Preferably, the liquid contacting portion 11 can be in the form of a flat disk having an about circular cross section.

[0022] The container contacting portion 12 can be adapted to contact at least a portion of the container C and to removably retain the closure cap 100 on the container C. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the container contacting portion 12 can be disposed at a periphery of the liquid contacting portion 11, and can extend an angle relative to the liquid contacting portion 11, such that the container contacting portion 12 can form an annular ring. Preferably, the container contacting portion 12 can include one or more of a crimped portion adapted to retain the closure cap 100 on the container C, and/or a threaded portion, that can be adapted to cooperate with a corresponding threaded portion of the container, to retain the closure cap 100 on the container C. The container contacting portion 12 can be adapted to permit resecurement of the closure cap 100 with the container C after the initial removal of the closure cap 100 from the container C, or alternatively can be adapted to prohibit resecurement of the closure cap 100 with the container C after the initial removal.

[0023] Further, the container contacting portion 12 can include at least one or a metal, a metal alloy, a metallic compound, and/or a plastic material. Preferably, when the closure cap 100 is used with the container C that includes glass, the container contacting portion 12 can include the plastic material, the metal, the metal alloy, and/or the metallic compound, and can be adapted to permit or prohibit resecurement. More preferably, when the closure cap 100 is used with the container C that includes plastic, the container contacting portion 12 can include the plastic material, and can be adapted to permit resecurement.

[0024] The cap portion 10 can include a liquid delivery opening 17 adapted to permit flow (e.g., of the liquid contained in the container C) from the interior of the container C to the exterior of the container C when the closure cap 100 is removably retained on the container C. Although the figures show certain preferred embodiments of the liquid delivery opening 17, it is to be understood that the liquid delivery opening 17 can be of any type, so long as the liquid delivery opening 17 can permit flow from the interior to the exterior of the container C when the closure cap 100 is removably retained on the container C.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the liquid delivery opening 17 can be disposed through the liquid contacting portion 11, and more preferably can be disposed through the exterior surface 13 and the interior surface 14. Preferably, the liquid delivery opening 17 can be disposed about coincident with a center of the liquid contacting portion 11, and/or can include an about circular cross section sized to receive a drinking straw S, such as a standard plastic drinking straw (e.g., have a diameter of between about 0.1 to about 0.3 inches). Although the figures show certain preferred embodiments of the size, shape, and location of the liquid delivery opening 17, it is to be understood that the liquid delivery opening 17 can be disposed on any portion of the cap portion 10 (e.g., the container contacting portion 12), can be of any size, and/or can be of any shape, including one or more of a polygon and an arc (e.g., one or more of a triangle, square, rectangle, trapezoid, star, semi-circle, circle, etc.)

[0026] The film portion 20 can be adapted to prohibit flow through the liquid delivery opening 17 and can be positionable to permit flow through at least a portion of the liquid delivery opening 17 when the closure cap 100 is releasably retained on the container C. Although the figures show certain preferred embodiments of the film portion 20, it is to be understood that the film portion 20 can be of any type, so long as the film portion 20 can prohibit flow and can be positioned to permit flow through the liquid delivery opening 17 when the closure cap 100 is retained on the container C.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the film portion 20 can be disposed on the cap portion 10 such that the film portion 20 faces the interior of the container C when the closure cap 100 is retained on the container C. Preferably, the film portion 20 can contact the interior surface 14. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the film portion 20 can be disposed on the cap portion 10 such that the film portion 20 faces the exterior of the container C when the closure cap 100 is retained on the container C. Preferably, in such an embodiment of the invention, the film portion 20 can contact the exterior surface 13. In still another preferred embodiment of the invention, the film portions 20 can include a first film 21 that can be disposed adjacent and/or that can contact the interior surface 14 as well as a second film 22 that can be disposed on and/or that can contact the exterior surface 13. Thus, it is to be understood that the film portion 20 can be of any type, so long as the film portion 20 can prohibit flow through the liquid delivery opening 17 and can be positioned to permit flow through at least a portion of the liquid delivery opening 17 when the closure cap 100 is releasably retained on the container C.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the film portion 20 can include one or more relatively thin portion that can have a thickness less than a thickness of one or more adjacent portions. The relatively thin portion can be adapted to break away from the adjacent portion of the film portion 20 and/or the closure cap 100 at a force that is less than a force required to break the adjacent portion from other portions of the film portion 20 and/or from the closure cap 100. Preferably, the relatively thin portion of the film portion 20 can include one or more scored portions and/or indented portions. The film portion 20 can include one or more of a metal, a metal alloy, a metallic compound, and/or a plastic material. Preferably, the film portion 20 can include one or more layers having a plastic material. The film portion 20 can be connected with one or more other portions of the closure cap 100 by sonic welding and/or an adhesive.

[0029] As stated above, the closure cap 100 can optionally include the lining portion 30 adapted to prohibit flow between the closure cap 100 and the container C when the closure cap 100 is releasably retained on the container C. Although the figures show certain preferred embodiments of the lining portion 30, it is to be understood that the lining portion 30 can be of any type, so long as the lining portion 30 can prohibit flow between the closure cap 100 and the container C when the closure cap 100 is retained on the container C, and that the lining portion 30 can be omitted from the closure cap 100.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the lining portion 30 can be disposed on a surface of the closure cap 100, and more preferably can be in contact with the interior surface 14. The lining portion 30 can be disposed at least at a periphery of the liquid contacting portion 11, and/or at a portion of the lining portion 30 that contacts a portion of the container C, such that a fluid tight seal can be obtained between the closure cap 100 including the lining portion 30 and the container C when the closure cap 100 is removably retained on the container C. The lining portion 30 can include one or more contoured surfaces corresponding to one or more surfaces of the container C to aid in the formation of the fluid tight seal. Preferably, the lining portion 30 can include a deformable material, including plastic and/or rubber. The lining portion 30 can be connected with one or more portions of the closure cap 100 by sonic welding and/or an adhesive.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the lining portion 30 can be disposed as not to cover the liquid delivery portion 17. The film portion 20, including multiple films (e.g., the first and second films 21, 22) can be disposed to cover and/or as not to cover the lining portion 30, and can be disposed on the lining portion 30 facing the interior of the container C, between the lining portion 30 and the cap portion 10, and/or on the exterior surface 13.

[0032] In an alternate preferred embodiment of the invention, the lining portion 30 can be disposed so as to cover at least a portion or about all of the liquid delivery opening 17. The film portion 20, including multiple films (e.g., the first and second films 21, 22) can be disposed to cover the lining portion 30, and can be disposed on the lining portion 30 facing the interior of the container C, between the lining portion 30 and the cap portion 10, and/or on the exterior surface 13. Further, the portion of the lining portion 30 that can cover the liquid delivery opening 17 can include the film portion 20, such that an additional film portion is not disposed on the cap portion 10 and/or the closure cap 100.

[0033] Numerous additional modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the present invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. 

1. A closure cap adapted to be removably retained on a container, the closure cap comprising: a cap portion including an opening adapted to permit flow from an interior of the container to an exterior of the container when the closure cap is retained on the container; and a film portion adapted to prohibit flow through the opening and positionable to permit flow through at least a portion of the opening when the closure cap is retained on the container.
 2. The closure cap according to claim 1, wherein the cap portion comprises a container contacting portion adapted to contact the container and retain the closure cap on the container.
 3. The closure cap according to claim 2, wherein the container contacting portion comprises at least one of a metal, a metal alloy, and a metallic compound.
 4. The closure cap according to claim 3, wherein the container contacting portion comprises a crimped portion adapted to retain the closure cap on the container.
 5. The closure cap according to claim 4, wherein the crimped portion is adapted to prohibit resecurement of the closure cap with the container after an initial removal of the closure cap from the container.
 6. The closure cap according to claim 3, wherein the container contacting portion comprises a threaded portion adapted to cooperate with a corresponding threaded portion of the container to retain the closure cap on the container.
 7. The closure cap according to claim 6, wherein the threaded portion is adapted to prohibit resecurement of the closure cap with the container after an initial removal of the closure cap from the container.
 8. The closure cap according to claim 1, wherein the container contacting portion comprises a plastic material.
 9. The closure cap according to claim 8, wherein the container contacting portion comprises a threaded portion adapted to cooperate with a corresponding threaded portion of the container to retain the closure cap on the container.
 10. The closure cap according to claim 9, wherein the threaded portion is adapted to permit resecurement of the closure cap with the container after an initial removal of the closure cap from the container.
 11. The closure cap according to claim 2, wherein the cap portion further comprises a liquid contacting portion adjacent the container contacting portion, which is adapted to contact a liquid disposed in the container, and the opening is disposed in the liquid contacting portion.
 12. The closure cap according to claim 11, wherein a center of the opening is disposed about coincident with a center of the liquid contacting portion.
 13. The closure cap according to claim 11, wherein the opening comprises an about circular cross section.
 14. The closure cap according to claim 13, wherein the opening comprises a diameter of between about 0.1 and about 0.3 inches.
 15. The closure cap according to claim 14, where a center point of the opening is disposed about coincident with a center point of the liquid contacting portion.
 16. The closure cap according to claim 1, wherein the film portion is disposed on an interior of the cap portion adapted to face the interior of the container when the closure cap is retained on the container.
 17. The closure cap according to claim 1, wherein the film portion is disposed on an exterior of the cap portion adapted to face the exterior of the container when the closure cap is retained on the container.
 18. The closure cap according to claim 1, wherein the film portion comprises a first film disposed on an interior of the cap portion adapted to face the interior of the container when the closure cap is retained on the container and a second film disposed on an exterior of the cap portion that is opposite to the interior of the cap portion.
 19. The closure cap according to claim 1, wherein the film portion comprises at least one of a metal, a metal alloy, a metallic compound, and a plastic material.
 20. The closure cap according to claim 19, wherein the metal includes aluminum.
 21. The closure cap according to claim 1, wherein the film portion includes a thin portion having a thickness less than an adjacent portion, and the thin portion is adapted to break at a force that is less than a force required to break the adjacent portion to allow the introduction of a drinking straw.
 22. The closure cap according to claim 21, wherein the thin portion comprises at least one scored portion.
 23. The closure cap according to claim 1, further comprising: a lining portion adapted to prohibit flow between the closure cap and the container when the closure cap is retained on the container.
 24. The closure cap according to claim 23, wherein the film portion is integral with the lining portion.
 25. The closure cap according to claim 23, wherein the film portion is separate from the lining portion.
 26. The closure cap according to claim 25, wherein the film portion is disposed on a surface of the lining portion.
 27. The closure cap according to claim 26, wherein the film portion is disposed between the lining portion and the cap portion.
 28. The closure cap according to claim 25, wherein the film portion is disposed on an exterior of the cap portion adapted to face the exterior of the container when the closure cap is retained on the container.
 29. The closure cap according to claim 1, wherein the film portion is disposed on an exterior of the cap portion adapted to face the exterior of the container when the closure cap is retained on the container.
 30. A closure cap adapted to be removably retained on a container, the closure cap comprising: a cap portion including an opening means for permitting flow from an interior of the container to an exterior of the container when the closure cap is retained on the container; and a film portion means for prohibiting flow through the opening and positionable to permit flow through at least a portion of the opening when the closure cap is retained on the container. 